The UK government’s announcement last week to approve Hinkley Point C gives the “green light” to build the first new nuclear power station in the UK for a generation.
Whilst the £18bn project is not without controversy, it undoubtedly creates a huge opportunity for local businesses. The proposed power station will be built in Somerset, next to two existing facilities Hinkley Point A and B, and its ten year construction will create 25,000 new jobs. Upon completion, the power station is expected to employ 900 people.
A cross-disciplinary team of solicitors from Clarke Willmott LLP’s Taunton and Bristol offices (led by partners Greg Saunders, Zoe Stollard and Simon Smith) is actively involved in supporting local members of the Hinkley Point C supply chain and have advised on the first suite of main supply NEC3 contracts to have been signed with EDF, as well as on the formation of a number of supply chain consortia.
Zoe Stollard, who has been closely negotiating the Supply Contracts with EDF said, “I am delighted to have been involved in some of the earliest contract negotiations with EDF. As our knowledge of EDF’s risk profile and contract structure grows, we are receiving further instructions to represent other suppliers. We have also received good feedback and recommendations we are very proud of”.
